Shannon picks Quinnipiac over Fairfield

Published 11:35 pm, Saturday, June 1, 2013

Fairfield and Quinnipiac universities have yet to even tip off in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play, but the Bobcats already have a 1-0 edge in the recruiting wars.

Fifth-year senior guard Umar Shannon reportedly will be heading to QU for his final season. The former St. Francis, Pa., guard tweeted Saturday afternoon the message "QU" and a source confirmed Saturday night that Shannon is indeed headed there.

Shannon, who is 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, reportedly was also considering Fairfield, Canisius, Hofstra and Albany. Earlier in the week, someone tweeted that Shannon had chosen the Stags, which prompted Shannon to tweet, "I guess people know something that I don't know?!"

Hearst Connecticut Newspapers learned from a source that Shannon's decision to attend Quinnipiac over Fairfield came down to the guard being able to complete his master's degree in one year in Hamden. Fairfield does not offer any one-year master's programs, the source said.

Shannon averaged 11.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season for the Red Flash in 735 minutes.

Quinnipiac coach Tom Moore did not return a text message seeking comment on Shannon's decision. The Bobcats needed to add some veteran backcourt help heading into their first season in the MAAC and after losing senior Dave Johnson. Moore is certainly familiar with Shannon's game since the Bobcats have played against him three of the past four seasons. Shannon missed the 2011-12 season with a knee injury.

Shannon's decision to attend QU is certainly a blow to the Stags' backcourt, which lost Derek Needham, Colin Nickerson and Desmond Wade to graduation. Fairfield returns just sophomore Justin Jenkins and junior Sean Grennan, who sat out last season after transferring from Seton Hall. The Stags also have three freshmen coming in: K.J. Rose, Doug Chappell and Lincoln Davis, who spent last season at prep school in New Hampshire.